With the New York Knicks just 7-13 to start the season and All-Star forward Amar’e Stoudemire scoring 8 points per game less than last season, the first rush of trade winds is in effect.

CSNPhilly.com reports that it is the Philadelphia 76ers, an Atlantic Division rival, that phoned the Knicks to inquire about Stoudemire’s availability.

According to a league source, the Sixers have inquired about Stoudemire, though it was categorized as “due diligence.” Nothing is said to be imminent or even in the early stages other than just talk, the source said. Nevertheless, in past seasons the Sixers were reportedly discussing trade scenarios with the Phoenix Suns in order to acquire Stoudemire.

The Knicks’ early season struggles are well-documented. Without a capable point guard to point the group in the right direction, New York has stumbled out of the gate and is currently tracking to be a lottery team despite the presence of two All-Stars and Tyson Chandler in the starting lineup. Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier this week, I had speculated that the New York Knicks would turn their attention to free agent pg Andre Miller after missing out on both Jason Kidd and Grant Hill. Today, there are reports that the two clubs may be working on a sign and trade that would involve Knicks starting pg Chris Duhon. Duhon is a 6-1 6th year player out of Duke. He began his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. Last season, his first in New York, Duhon averaged 7.2 assists per game and shot .391 from 3-point range. He had a spectacular start to the season but fizzled out as the year progressed. Both teams are currently denying the reports.

Update: Either there’s nothing to this rumor or a lot of people are lying to Phil Jasner and the Philadelphia Daily News. A Knicks source has said the team hasn’t had any contact with Miller or his agent and have not offered Duhon in any trade scenario with the 76ers. Andre Miller’s agent, Andy Miller, says “there is nothing to report.” And Duhon’s agent, Kevin Bradbury, says “It’s not true. I have not had any conversations with Philly in regards to this rumor.”

Apparently plan A for the New York Knicks was Jason Kidd. The team offered him 3 years at $18 million. Kidd re-signed with Dallas. Plan B for the New York Knicks, Grant Hill. The team had reportedly offered Hill a one-year, $5 million contract or a three year deal at $10 million. The Phoenix Suns then increased their offer to Hill and, according to Yahoo! Sports, Hill is set to re-sign with the the team. Plan C, perhaps Andre Miller.

Miller would offer a significant upgrade for the Knicks at the pg position. He could, conceivably, be offered the same type of deal that Kidd was. Some have speculated that Miller may accept the mid-level exception from the team but that is unlikely, considering he has a better (though just slightly) offer on the table to return to the 76ers. Miller has also been linked to the Portland Trailblazers, but they are reportedly in trade talks that would bring Chicago Bulls pg Kirk Hinrich to the team.